Village residents form watchdog group to ensure accountability

By Chris Salisbury….Effective, efficient, accountable governance requires an informed citizenry. But, with the responsibilities of work and family, many individuals are challenged to find the time to be involved.

A group of Palmetto Bay residents are responding to that challenge with the formation of Palmetto Bay Village Voice Inc. (PBVV). The group has incorporated with the State of Florida with the specific purpose to “…increase local government transparency and accountability through education and communication, and to promote active resident participation in our community.”

“Our goal is to ensure that all of the citizens of the village are informed and that they are heard,” said PBVV chair Rick Cook.

“Governments tend to travel the path of least resistance,” he added. “The community needs to know that when the village council and manager make decisions, those decisions are based upon the interests of the entire community and not just the most vocal section of it.”

Membership is open to every resident of Palmetto Bay. As part of the education process, at least one PBVV member will attend every official meeting conducted in the village and report to the group. Communications to members and other residents will take many forms — a website, www.PalmettoBayVillageVoice.org, meetings, email and guest articles in the media.

“Great things happen in our village all the time,” Cook said. “When they do, we’ll celebrate them. But when we see a wheel starting to come off, we’ll sound an alarm. There is no agenda except good government. Our mission is to educate, not to advocate.”